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The human body is a wonderful creation as it works perfectly without being told. However, in cases that it is experiencing some health problems, it will become fragile and can easily get damaged if left untreated. The immune system has its own mind that it is responsive to anything that happens inside the body especially if there are infections. Bacterial infections can be detrimental to the health because even if it can be successfully cured, it will still leave its toll in the body which oftentimes results to reactive arthritis.

Reactive arthritis can develop itself undetected because primarily, the concern of the patient is the pre existing infection in any part of the body. No one would think that arthritis will be developed out of it. This kind of arthritis is chronic and can be traumatic as it brings too much pain once it advances.

People with HLA-B27 type of tissue present is their bodies will be susceptible to this kind of arthritis. Also, those who have HIV even have higher risk of developing this disease because the immune system is weak and disorganized which leads to improper reactions. Studies show that it can even be transmitted through sexual activity. This just proves that it even transcend of what is expected of it. Arthritis are supposed to be found in the joints of the body but this one is strange and it is becoming common in the society today.

Aside from the inflammation in the joints, reactive arthritis can also cause unexplained inflammation to other organs such as kidneys, mouth, lungs, eyes, skin and even the heart. There are even more complications than anyone would think. Commonly, gastrointestinal and genitourinary infections may cause this traumatic disease in a person.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Reactive Arthritis?

The signs of reactive arthritis may not be felt immediately; it will take 1 to 3 weeks from the time it was first developed in the body of the patient. Usually, the first symptom will include a burning sensation while urinating and then it will lead to frequent urination. If left untreated, this disease will lead to other complications such as cervicitis, salpingitis and vulvovaginitis in women while causing prostatitis in men. Other than that, the following are the most common signs and symptoms of reactive arthritis;

• Stiffness of the joints which may include the neck, wrists and knees.
• You can feel the pain in almost all parts of your body.
• You may be able to notice some swelling in your skin and joints.
• You will always feel the warmth as if you are under the sun and wanted to bathe in cold water.
• Unusual redness of the skin.

Your spine can be affected by reactive arthritis resulting to back ache and neck pain. There are also non joints which can be affected by it which include the genitals, aorta, urinary tract, the eyes and the skin.

The inflammation of the eyes has two kinds; inflammation of the white portion which is not painful and the inflammation of the iris which is the opposite of the other. Leaving it untreated will lead to blindness.

The Causes of Reactive Arthritis

As what the name denotes, it is the effect of the reaction of the immune system to the preceding infections which happened in the body. Commonly, the infection is caused by Chlamydia trachomatis in the genitals. However, studies show that it can also be caused by infectious dysentery in which bacteria is taken from the bowel. Therefore, bacteria are responsible for this kind of arthritis which can be dangerous if left untreated over time.

There is not only kind of bacteria which can cause reactive arthritis but there are many and it includes urealyticum, ureaplasma, shigella spp., salmonella spp. and yersinia spp. As mentioned earlier, it can be the reaction of the immune system in the body that resulted to this disorder, or it is because of the bacterial antigens in the joints.

Researchers would assert that genetics also plays a role in the development of this kind of arthritis because commonly, only the people with HLA-B27 gene can have reactive arthritis. Although, there is no solid proof that people without this gene cannot have this kind of arthritis.

Food poisoning and other forms of gastrointestinal infections can also cause reactive arthritis. It is not contagious, however, the bacteria which causing the infections may be transferred through sexual intercourse or food preparation. Therefore, it pays a lot to maintain cleanliness and faithfulness to one’s partner.

Image Credit: mc.edu